Multi-posture chair

ABSTRACT

An office-type chair including a base, a height-adjustable pedestal that projects generally vertically upward, and a seat-back arrangement including a seat assembly and a back assembly. The seat assembly includes a seat surface and a flange extending from a forward edge of the seat surface at an angle relative to the seat surface. The seat assembly is adapted to pivot between a first generally horizontal position and a second generally vertical position. In the first position the seat surface is generally horizontal and functions as a task chair, and in the second position the seat surface is generally vertical and the flange functions as a perch. The armrests are also pivotable between first and second positions for use in both task chair and perch configurations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to chairs, and more particularly to a chair configured to provide multi-posture seating.

Various designs for office chairs have been developed, offering ergonomic improvements to individuals who spend much of their workday at a desk in a seated position. Many chairs include a height adjustment for moving the seat portion of the chair up and down so as to accommodate individuals of different heights and sizes and/or the height of the desk being utilized. Other chairs are designed such that the angle of the seat portion can be tilted and adjusted to the individual's preference. Generally, office chairs are designed to support an individual in a sitting position; however, stools that have a wide range of height adjustability have been used to give a user the ability to work in either a sitting or a standing posture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides the comfort and adjustability characteristics of a task chair while also converting to a stand-up perch. More particularly, the present invention provides an office-type chair including a base, a height-adjustable pedestal that projects generally vertically upward, and a seat-back arrangement including a seat assembly and a back assembly. The seat assembly includes a seat surface and a flange extending from a forward edge of the seat surface at an angle relative to the seat surface. The seat assembly is adapted to pivot between a first generally horizontal position and a second generally vertical position. In the first position the seat surface is generally horizontal and functions as a task chair, and in the second position the seat surface is generally vertical and the flange functions as a perch.

In one embodiment, in the first position the flange is angled rearward, such that a lower edge of the flange is positioned rearward of the forward edge of the seat surface.

In one embodiment, the seat assembly includes a seat pan, a pivot rod disposed along a rear portion of the seat pan, and a ramp disposed at a rear corner of the seat pan. The pivot rod is disposed within the carrier and is adapted to be received within the end cap channel and to travel along the channel as the seat assembly transitions from the first position to the second position.

In another embodiment, the chair includes a pair of spaced armrests pivotally mounted to the seat assembly, each armrest is pivotal between a first armrest position and a second armrest position. The chair is positionable in a seated position and a perched position. In the seated position the seat surface and armrests are in their respective horizontal and first armrest positions and the chair functions as a task chair. In the perched position, the seat surface and armrests are in their respective vertical and second armrest positions and the chair functions as a perch.

In another embodiment, the armrests pivot about a horizontal axis. In the first armrest position, a first surface defines a seated arm resting surface, and in the second position, a second surface defines a perched arm resting surface.

These and other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will be more fully understood and appreciated by reference to the description of the current embodiments and the drawings.

Before the embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the details of operation or to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention may be implemented in various other embodiments and may be practiced or may be carried out in alternative ways not expressly disclosed herein. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including” and “comprising” and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items and equivalents thereof. Further, enumeration may be used in the description of various embodiments. Unless otherwise expressly stated, the use of enumeration should not be construed as limiting the invention to any specific order or number of components. Nor should the use of enumeration be construed as excluding from the scope of the invention any additional steps or components that might be combined with or into the enumerated steps or components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an office-type chair according to one embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a seated position;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the chair of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the chair, illustrating an intermediate position;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the chair, illustrating a perched position;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an end cap of the chair of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a detail, cross-sectional view of a pivot mechanism of the chair, taken along line VI-VI of FIG. 1 and illustrating a seated position;

FIG. 7 is a detail, cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI of FIG. 1, illustrating an intermediate position;

FIG. 8 is a detail, cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI of FIG. 1, illustrating a perched position;

FIGS. 9A-C are bottom views of the chair, illustrating limited rotation of a support base of the chair;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an office-type chair according to a second embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a seated position;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the chair, illustrating a perched position;

FIGS. 12A-12E are perspective views of the chair, illustrating the transition between the seated and perched positions; and

FIGS. 13A-13E are side view of the chair, illustrating the transition between the seated and perched positions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENT EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, an office-type chair 10 is shown in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The chair 10 is a multi-posture chair that is configured to be positioned into multiple seating arrangements, including a sitting or seated position and a leaning or perched position. Both the seated and perched positions can be adjusted to different heights as desired. The different seated and perched positions enable a worker or employee to assume multiple physical positions during the work day, which may increase the employee's level of comfort. The chair 10 can also be used in conjunction with a height adjustable table, which are increasing in popularity along with attention to improved ergonomics, allowing both sitting and perched postures to be supported with a single chair solution.

In the illustrated embodiment, the multi-posture chair 10 includes a support base 12, a height-adjustable and upwardly projecting pedestal 14, and a seat-back arrangement 16 that includes a seat assembly 18 and a back assembly 20. The seat assembly 18 includes a seat surface 22 and a perch flange 24. In one embodiment, the flange 24 extends down from a lower surface 25 of the forward edge 26 of the seat assembly 18, and is positioned at an angle a relative to an underside of the seat surface 22, as shown in FIG. 1. Stated differently, the flange 24 may be angled relative to vertical, such that a lower edge 28 of the flange 24 is positioned rearward of the forward edge 26 of the seat assembly 18. In one embodiment, the angle a may be varied from application to application, depending on the desired characteristics of the perch seating surface, which is described in more detail below. In an alternative embodiment, the flange 24 may extend substantially vertical, such that the angle a is approximately 90 degrees.

The support base 12 is rotatably mounted, via the pedestal 14, to the seat back arrangement 16 and seat assembly 18, and includes a number of radially extending arms 30, each having a caster 32 mounted to a distal end thereof. In the exemplary embodiment, four arms 30 and casters 32 are illustrated; however, more or fewer arms and casters are contemplated. Additionally, the casters 32 may be reverse braking casters that resist movement when weight is applied to the caster 32, as are commercially available and known to those skilled in the art. The arms 30 are arranged in a configuration that is symmetrical about one axis and asymmetrical about a second, substantially perpendicular axis. This arrangement of the support base 12 increases the stability of the chair 10, particularly when used in the perched configuration. In particular, rotation of the support base 12 (relative to the seat back arrangement 16) may be limited within a range to ensure stability given the asymmetrical base support 12. Referring to FIGS. 9A-C, an exemplary range of rotation is shown, where the seat back arrangement 16 may be rotated 60° in either direction. Of course, a lesser or greater degree of rotation is contemplated.

The pedestal 14 includes a vertical adjustment mechanism (not shown) for vertically adjusting the height of the chair 10. The vertical adjustment mechanism may include a conventional hydraulic adjustment mechanism such as the type known to those skilled in the art for use in office chairs, wherein a first lower sleeve fits telescopically within a second upper sleeve, and the upper sleeve is vertically movable with respect to the lower sleeve. Alternatively, the support base may be in the form of a substantially flat panel.

According to one embodiment, in a seated position A, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the seat assembly 18 is positioned in a first, generally horizontal position and the chair 10 functions as a task chair. In this first, seated position A, the seat surface 22 of the seat assembly is configured to receive the user's buttocks in a seated posture, and the back assembly 20 includes a front seating surface 34 that is configured to receive the user's back.

Referring now to FIG. 4, in a second, perched position C, the seat assembly 18 is positioned in a second, generally vertical position and the chair 10 functions as a perch. In this perched position C, the seat assembly 18 and back assembly 20 are folded together and arranged such that the flange 24 is positioned to support the user's buttocks in a substantially standing, semi-seated, or leaning posture. As stated above, in the illustrated embodiment, the flange 24 is angled, therefore the lower edge 28 of the seating surface provided by the flange 24 is lowered relative to horizontal (by an angle complementary to angle a). When in the perched position C, it has been found that angling the lower edge 28 of the flange 24 down may provide the user a comfortable leaning, or perched, posture. It is contemplated that angle a may be an acute angle. More specifically, angle a may be approximately 70° to 85°. Further, in the perched position C, what portion of the front seating surface 34 of the back assembly 20 that extends above the flange 24 may support the user's back. The flange 24 has a length defined generally between the lower surface 25 of the seat assembly 18 and the lower edge 28 of the flange 24. The flange length is generally sufficient to support a substantial portion of a person when the chair is in the perched position. In one embodiment, the flange length may extend at a desired ratio with respect to the length of the seat surface 22 (defined generally between the front surface 34 of the back assembly 16 and the forward edge 26 of the seat assembly 18). For example, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4, the perch length is about 47% of the seat surface length, and in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 11-13 (discussed in more detail below), the perch length is about 58% of the length of the seat surface. In other words, a sufficient perch length for supporting a person in the perched position—without being too heavy for a user to pivot—is generally between about 40% and about 65% of the length of the seat support, and more particularly between about 50% and about 60% of the length of the seat support.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the back assembly 20 may include an elongated pocket or carrier 50 disposed on a lower portion thereof. The carrier 50 extends substantially the width of the chair 10, and has a generally hollow and U-shaped cross-section defining an opening 52 at a top portion thereof. An end cap 54 is positioned at each lateral end of the carrier 50, closing off the ends of the carrier 50. The end caps 54 have substantially the same cross-sectional shape as the carrier 50, yet they are not hollow. Referring to FIG. 5, the end caps 54 each include, in minor image relationship to one another, a channel 56 and an angled guide 58. The channel 56 extends vertically along the forward surface of the end cap 54. The angled guide 58 is quadrilateral-shaped protruding member that includes an angled face 60 on a forward surface thereof. Further, the angled guide 58 is positioned interior to the channel 56, also on the forward surface of the end cap 54.

Referring now back to FIG. 2, the seat assembly 18 includes a seat pan 70 configured to provide structural support for the seat assembly 18. The seat pan 70 includes armrest supports 72 that extend up therefrom, on which armrests 74 are mounted. Armrests 74 may be vertically adjustable, as is conventional. Additionally, the seat pan 70 includes a pivot rod 76 disposed along a rear edge 71 of the seat pan 70 and extending beyond the lateral sides of the seat pan 70. The seat pan 70 also includes a wedge 78 that is disposed at a rear corner of the seat pan 70. The wedge is an elongated member and has a ramped surface 80 on an upper face thereof. A second wedge 78 may be included in the opposite rear corner of the seat pan 70.

Perhaps as best seen in FIG. 4, a stability bar 90 is included on the underside of the seat pan 70 for providing additional stability to the seat assembly 18, particularly when in the perched position C. The stability bar 90 is an elongated L-shaped member that is affixed by any suitable means to the underside of the seat pan 70. The stability bar 90 is disposed in the fore-aft direction, with its short leg, referred to herein as support leg 92, positioned near the rearward edge 71 of the seat pan 70.

A pedestal cap 94 is positioned atop the pedestal 14 and mounts the seat back arrangement 16 to the pedestal 14. The pedestal cap 94 includes a center hub 96 that has an upper surface 98 and a forward surface 100. In seated position A, the support leg 92 engages the forward surface 100 of the center hub 96, bearing against any downward force applied to the seat assembly 18, such as the weight of an occupant. Given that the stability bar 90 is affixed to the seat pan 70, when the seat assembly 18 is pivoted up to the perched position C, the orientation of the stability bar 90 changes along with the assembly. In perched position C, the support leg 92 engages the upper surface 98 of the center hub 96, bearing against any downward force applied to the seat flange 24, such as the weight of an occupant leaning on the flange 24. Further, the support leg 92 increases the stability of the seat assembly 18 by providing resistive force to help maintain the seat assembly 18 in the perched position C.

The seat assembly 18 and seat back assembly 20 may include cushions, as is conventional. Additionally, controls may be provided on the chair 10 for features such as tilting of the seat back assembly 18 and adjusting the armrest 74 height. The chair 10 may be provided with typical stops and controls for releasably maintaining the chair in the seated position. Such stops, controls, and other related structure are conventional, and are not described or illustrated herein.

Operation

The multi-position chair 10 is configured to move between the seated and perched positions A and C by simply pivoting the seat assembly 18 up or down. To move the chair 10 from the seated position A to the perched position C, the user may pivot the forward edge 26 of the seat assembly 18 upward, about the pivot rod 76. When the seat assembly 18 is nearly vertical it is configured to slide down and into the perched position C. Oppositely, to move the chair from the perched position C to the seated position A, the user may pull the seat assembly 18 up, and then pivot the seat assembly 18 down.

Referring to FIGS. 6-8, a detail, cross-sectional view of the mechanism that enables the chair 10 to be transitioned between the seated and perched positions A and C is illustrated. In the seated position A, shown in FIG. 6, the pivot rod 76 is disposed within the carrier 50, and each end of the pivot rod 76 is adapted to be received within the end cap 54 channel 56. The ends of the pivot rods 76 are each bounded in the forward and rearward directions by a front wall 82 of the carrier 50 and a rear wall 84 of the channel 56, respectively.

FIG. 7 illustrates an intermediate position B between the seated and perched positions A and C. In this intermediate position B, the seat assembly 18 is pivoted somewhat upward, and the pivot rod 76 remains at the top of the channel 56. The rearward edge 71 of the seat pan 70 is received in the carrier 50 through the opening 52. The pivot rod 76 is adapted to travel along the channel 56 as the seat assembly 18 transitions from the seated position A to the perched position C, as shown in FIG. 8. The pivot rod 76 slides down the channel 56 until it reaches the bottom of the channel 56 and the ramped surface 80 of the wedge 78 abuts the angled face 60 of the angled guide 58. The interaction between the wedge 78 and the angled guide 58 provides a positive stop and increased stability for the seat assembly 18 when in the perched position C.

The multi-posture chair 10 advantageously allows the user to vary his or her physical position throughout the workday, thereby increasing the employee's comfort. Moreover, the multi-posture chair 10 very easily transitions between the seated and perched positions. Further, as described above, in either of the seated and perched configurations, the seat-back arrangement 16 is readily vertically adjustable to change the height of the sitting or leaning surface. Accordingly, in addition to providing multiple seating arrangements, the chair 10 can accommodate the height of the individual user and/or the associated work surface.

Referring to FIGS. 10-13, an office-type chair 200 is shown in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. Like parts will be identified with like numerals increased by 200. The chair 200 is a multi-posture chair that is configured to be positioned into multiple seating arrangements, including a sitting or seated position and a leaning or perched position.

The chair 200 includes a seat pan and/or a seat frame 270 configured to provide structural support for the seat assembly 218. The chair 200 also includes a pair of spaced armrests 274 that are pivotally mounted to the seat assembly 218 for use in both the seated and perched positions of the seat assembly 218. In the illustrated embodiment, each armrest 274 has a substantially hat-shaped geometry made up of a pivot portion 310, a center portion 312, and an extending portion 314. Alternative geometries may be used depending on the desired armrest application and usage. When the armrest 274 is oriented in the position shown in FIG. 12A, the pivot and extending portions 310 and 314 are substantially vertical, and the center portion 312 is substantially horizontal and connects the upper ends of the pivot and extending portions 310 and 314. Further, the pivot portion 310 of the armrest 274 is mounted to the seat frame 270 such that the armrest 274 is pivotable about a horizontal axis A, the pivot point of which is positioned near a forward edge 226 of the seat surface 222. The lower end of the extending portion 314 is not fixed or mounted to the seat frame 270.

The armrests 274 are each pivotal substantially 180° between a first armrest position X, shown in FIG. 12A, and a second armrest position Y, shown in FIG. 12E. While the armrests 274 and seat assembly 218 are independently positionable, the chair is configured for the armrests 274 and seat assembly 218 to be cooperatively positioned in a seated position A and a perched position C. When the chair 200 is arranged in the seated position A, shown in FIG. 12A, the seat surface 222 is positioned substantially horizontally and the armrests 274 are positioned in their first armrest position X, such that the chair 200 functions as a task chair. When the chair 200 is arranged in the perched position C, the seat surface 222 is positioned substantially vertically and the armrests 274 are positioned in their second armrest position Y, such that the chair 200 functions as a perch or stool. Additionally, in the first armrest position X, a first surface 316 of the center portion 312 defines the seated arm resting surface, and in the second position Y, a second surface 318 of the extending portion 314 defines the perched arm resting surface.

In one embodiment, the chair 200 also includes a coat or purse hook 320 positioned at an upper end of the back assembly 220. The hook 320 can be formed as a portion of a seat back frame 322 and includes an opening 324 and arms 326. A purse, coat, or other item may be inserted through the opening 324 and hung over the arms 326. The hook 320 can also function as a handle for moving the chair 200.

Operation

The multi-position chair 200 is configured to move between the seated and perched positions A and C by simply pivoting the seat assembly 218 up or down and pivoting the armrests 275 up or down. To move the chair 200 from the seated position A to the perched position C, the user may pivot the armrests 274 forward, about the horizontal axis A, and then pivot the forward edge 226 of the seat assembly 218 upward, about the pivot rod 276. Oppositely, to move the chair from the perched position C to the seated position A, the user may pivot the seat assembly 218 down and then pivot the armrests 274 rearward.

The above description is that of current embodiments of the invention. Various alterations and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and broader aspects of the invention as defined in the appended claims, which are to be interpreted in accordance with the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents. This disclosure is presented for illustrative purposes and should not be interpreted as an exhaustive description of all embodiments of the invention or to limit the scope of the claims to the specific elements illustrated or described in connection with these embodiments. For example, and without limitation, any individual element(s) of the described invention may be replaced by alternative elements that provide substantially similar functionality or otherwise provide adequate operation. This includes, for example, presently known alternative elements, such as those that might be currently known to one skilled in the art, and alternative elements that may be developed in the future, such as those that one skilled in the art might, upon development, recognize as an alternative. Further, the disclosed embodiments include a plurality of features that are described in concert and that might cooperatively provide a collection of benefits. The present invention is not limited to only those embodiments that include all of these features or that provide all of the stated benefits, except to the extent otherwise expressly set forth in the issued claims. Features of various embodiments may be used in combination with features from other embodiments. Directional terms, such as “vertical,” “horizontal,” “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “rear,” “upper,” “lower,” “inner,” “inwardly,” “outer,” “outwardly,” “forward,” and “rearward” are used to assist in describing the invention based on the orientation of the embodiments shown in the illustrations. The use of directional terms should not be interpreted to limit the invention to any specific orientation(s). Any reference to claim elements in the singular, for example, using the articles “a,” “an,” “the” or “said,” is not to be construed as limiting the element to the singular. 

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
 1. An office-type chair comprising: a base; a height-adjustable pedestal that projects generally vertically upward; and a seat-back arrangement including a seat assembly and a back assembly, the seat assembly including a seat surface and a flange extending from a forward edge of the seat surface at an angle relative to the seat surface; wherein the seat assembly is adapted to pivot between a first generally horizontal position and a second generally vertical position, wherein in the first position the seat surface is generally horizontal and functions as a task chair and in the second position the seat surface is generally vertical and the flange functions as a perch.
 2. The chair according to claim 1 wherein in the first position the flange is angled rearward, such that a lower edge of the flange is positioned rearward of the forward edge of the seat surface.
 3. The chair according to claim 2 wherein the flange is positioned at an acute angle with respect to an underside of the seat surface.
 4. The chair according to claim 3 wherein the angle between the flange and the underside of the seat surface is about 70 to about 85 degrees.
 5. The chair according to claim 1 wherein the base includes multiple arms which are symmetrical about one axis and non-symmetrical about a second, substantially perpendicular axis.
 6. The chair according to claim 1 wherein the back assembly includes an elongated carrier disposed on a lower portion thereof.
 7. The chair according to claim 6 wherein the carrier includes an end cap at a lateral end thereof.
 8. The chair according to claim 7 wherein the end cap includes a channel and an angled guide.
 9. The chair according to claim 1 wherein the seat assembly includes a seat pan, a pivot rod disposed along a rear portion of the seat pan, and a ramp disposed at a rear corner of the seat pan.
 10. The chair assembly according to claim 9 wherein the pivot rod is disposed within the carrier and is adapted to be received within the end cap channel.
 11. The chair assembly according to claim 10 wherein the pivot rod is adapted to travel along the channel as the seat assembly transitions from the first position to the second position.
 12. The chair assembly according to claim 11 wherein the ramp engages the angled guide of the end cap to provide a positive stop when the seat assembly is pivoted to the second position.
 13. The chair assembly according to claim 1 wherein the seat surface supports a user's buttocks in a seated posture when the seat assembly is in the first position, and the flange supports a user's buttocks in a substantially standing posture when the seat assembly is in the second position.
 14. The chair according to claim 1 wherein the base rotates relative to the seat back arrangement, and the degree of rotation is limited to a predetermined range.
 15. An office-type chair comprising: a base; a pedestal that projects generally vertically upward; a seat-back arrangement including a seat assembly and a back assembly, the seat assembly including a seat surface and a flange extending from a forward edge of the seat surface at an angle relative to the seat surface, the seat assembly adapted to pivot between a first generally horizontal position and a second generally vertical position; and a pair of spaced armrests pivotally mounted to the seat assembly, each armrest pivotal between a first armrest position and a second armrest position; wherein the chair is positionable in a seated position and a perched position, in the seated position the seat surface and armrests are in their respective horizontal and first armrest positions and the chair functions as a task chair, in the perched position the seat surface and armrests are in their respective vertical and second armrest positions and the chair functions as a perch.
 16. The chair of claim 15 wherein the armrests pivot about a horizontal axis, and in the first armrest position, a first surface defines a seated arm resting surface, and in the second position, a second surface defines a perched arm resting surface.
 17. The chair of claim 16 wherein the armrests pivot substantially 180 degrees between the first and second armrest positions.
 18. The chair of claim 17 wherein the armrest pivot point is positioned near a forward edge of the seat surface.
 19. The chair of claim 15 wherein the armrests and seat assembly are independently positionable.
 20. An office-type chair comprising: a base; a height-adjustable pedestal supporting the base; and a seat-back arrangement including a seat assembly and a back assembly, the seat assembly including a seat surface and a flange extending from a bottom surface of a forward edge of the seat surface at an angle relative to the seat surface, the seat surface having a seat surface length and the flange having a flange length, wherein the flange length is between about 40% and 65% of the seat length; wherein the seat assembly is adapted to pivot between a first position in which the seat surface is generally horizontal and a second position in which the seat surface is generally vertical, wherein in the first position the seat surface functions as support surface for a user and in the second position the flange functions as a support surface for a user, wherein the height adjustable pedestal can be adjusted with the seat assembly in either the first position or the second position.
 21. The office-type chair of claim 20 including a pair of spaced armrests pivotally mounted to the seat assembly, each armrest pivotal between a first armrest position and a second armrest position, wherein in the first position of the seat assembly the armrests function in the first armrest position and, in the second position of the seat assembly the armrests function in the second armrest position. 